Ph protests latest Chinese intrusions in West Philippine Sea

The Philippines has formally protested China’s latest incursions in the Kalayaan Group of Islands, this time by Chinese soldiers in the Escoda (Sabina) Shoal on December 11 and 12.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has conveyed to the Chinese Embassy’s Charge d’affaires its serious concerns over China’s latest actions last Friday (January 5).

Citing reports from the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the DFA protested the recent sightings of two Chinese vessels and a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship at the vicinity of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on December 11 and 12 respectively.

The DFA said Escoda Shoal is located 123.6 nautical miles from Palawan and is clearly within “Philippine sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said, “these intrusions of the Chinese are clear violations of the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea as well as the provision of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”